Weber State basketball: Lillard showing no soph slump

OGDEN — It's highly doubtful Weber State sophomore guard Damian Lillard has heard much of former Big Sky players Matt Nelson, Logan Kinghorn, Cameron Rundles and Vinnie McGhee.

But he knows that he doesn't want to share certain traits with them. Nelson, Kinghorn, Rundles and McGhee were once winners of the Big Sky Freshman of the Year award, and none of them either stuck at their schools or lived up to the high expectations set for them after solid rookie seasons in college.

Nelson (2003-04) started at Eastern Washington before transferring to Boise State after two seasons. Kinghorn ('04-05) averaged 10.6 points per game as a freshman at Idaho State but never averaged in double figures his next three seasons. Rundles won the award at Montana in '06-07 before transferring to Wofford. McGhee ('07-08) started at Sacramento State and transferred to Cal State Northridge.

Lillard, the Big Sky Freshman of the Year last season, looks here to stay, and even better than he was last year.

Lillard's stats are up almost across the board while leading Weber State to a 5-4 record so far this season. He leads the Wildcats in scoring with 19.6 points per game, up from 11.5 last season. He's getting about one more steal per game and his rebounds are close to what they were last year.

"Every area of his game has improved," said Weber State forward Kyle Bullinger. "I think it's obvious, especially scoring the ball. You always hear what people say about point guards running the team and stuff, and he does a terrific job at that, as good as any player in the state that does that."

Lillard says he didn't feel like he had to come back and prove anything after a stellar freshman season. But he did work hard in the offseason to make sure he wasn't a one-season wonder. He ran to improve his conditioning, took ice baths to make sure his body could handle the wear and tear of another collegiate season and took a ton of mid-range jumpers to improve that area of his game.

"It's good to see that hard work pays off in the summer because I think it really has," said Weber State coach Randy Rahe. "He's got more in his repertoire, more of a mid-range game, he makes easier plays, simple plays."

Perhaps the biggest improvement in Lillard's game has come in his shooting. With an improved mid-range game, he's tough to guard from any spot in the halfcourt.

"Last year, it was either shoot a 3 or get all the way to the basket," Rahe said. "Now he's got some in-between game that is really making him a dangerous player."